winsock afd driver

The winsock afd driver tag covers discussions about the Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, a kernel component that provides socket-related support to applications. Content under this tag focuses on security vulnerabilities, particularly CVE-2026-45638, a local privilege escalation flaw disclosed by Microsoft in a Patch Tuesday update. The tag highlights how this driver can be exploited by attackers with local access to gain higher system privileges, emphasizing the importance of patching even non-remote vulnerabilities. Recurring themes include vulnerability disclosure, privilege escalation risks, and the role of the AFD driver in Windows networking. This tag is relevant for IT professionals and security researchers tracking Windows driver security.